This looks like a nice vehicle, but Mazda products do better in press reviews than they do on the sales charts. How many Mazda6's do you see on the road? Not many. I don't know why more people dont buy Mazdas instead of Nissans or Hondas. They look better and are more exclusive.
 
On another note, what's up with a test of the Escalade? It's been on sale since last month but no one has tested one. When are you guys going to have one?

I like the CX-7, however, I would buy a B9 Tribeca over it no matter what anybody says about it.
 
By the way, when is the Mazda 6 getting redesigned?

Mazda, imho, is the Japanese BMW. They're the only manufacturer to come close to BMW driving dynamics and feedback consistently. From the dearly departed RX-7 to the Protege to the 3 to Tribute...they create more driver-focused cars than any other manu outside of BMW.
 
I look forward to driving the CX-7. I look more forward to the Mazdaspeed3 (that may make a fun second car).

Yeah, Mazda makes the drivers' cars of the masses. Not that masses of people are looking for drivers' cars =/. No, they go buy the soft Ford version instead. I hope that doesn't affect Mazda's viability much. Also nice to see Mazda make cars that look Japanese, not made to our tastes or Europeans'.
 
I'm curious to find out how the turbo-4 does. A lot of people I know are nervous about that.

1487 -Forget the Escalade road test, where is the DTS road test????? The DTS has been on sale for a while now, and it is a 2006 model. I hope you guys can get a road test in soon.
 
Im looking forward to reading about the CX7, and am eagerly waiting the debut of the CX9 at the New York Auto Show. The CX-7 is one the best looking cars in it's class, IMO. Even better than the Murano.

Actually, I read somewhere that the Edge/MKX are not rebadges of the CX-7. I think they are on the same platform but are significantly different. Maybe someone verify that?

Mirth, haven't you seen the pictures? They look pretty different; they're reskins at the very least, and I doubt they'll have the same powertrain. Unfortunately for Ford, they're ugly next to the CX-7.

The chassis of the Edge/MKX/CX-7 are the same, however the Mazda is equipped with the 2.3L Turbo I4, while the Edge and MKX will get the new 3.5L V6.

I'm sure Mazda and Ford want everyone to think that these are unrelated, but changing the engine doesn't make that so.
 
Either way, I like the CX7, they really nailed the styling and it ought to be fun to drive.

More pictures and you can "become friends" with the vehicle - http://www.carspace.com/cx7
 
We also started a Mazda CX-7 group for people who are in the process of placing orders or doing the early comparisons to the Nissan Murano and RAV4.

Side note - looks like Mazda really nailed the pricing on this. Better than the Murano and RAV4. Sweet!

Escalade road test coming very soon. I know it's completed and edited, so it should happen any day now...

Mazda doesn't have the trust of Japanese car buyers because it's a Ford engine, and low reliability. The Mazda 6 was just plain small, and competed in a more expensive class of small cars, along side the Subaru Legacy, which also nobody buys. These weren't family sized cars.
Personally, I don't like any of Mazda's pure black interiors. It doesn't say "sporty" to me, it's just too stark.

billt9, just so you know the CX-7 won't have a Ford engine, rather the turbo found in the Mazdaspeed6.

The Mazda6 is too small for families? Man, people must be getting really, really big these days.

The Mazda 6 is smaller than most of it's competitors and Mazda interiors arent anything to write home about. The 6 hasnt sold that well when you think about how much the press loves the car. we shall see if the CX-7 does any better. I'm not crazy about the looks, but it looks better than the edge.
 
I agree that it is time for a DTS test. The car has been out for a while on the east coast even though I'm sure no one on the west coast cares.

Mazda3 interior is by far the best in class. The Mazdaspeed6's interior is just fine - compares favorably, imho, to the BMW e90 and it's far better than the Scooby's interior.
 
As for reliability...whatever. My Mazdas have been near bulletproof. More than that, my Mazdas have been FUN - something I can't say about 95% of the Japanese/American/German brands.
 
Then again, reliability isn't a deciding factor when I buy a car. Just make it fun...

CanadianDriver has first drive review on it's website today. Is the embargo for USA only?
Very nice vehicle from a pricing/value viewpoint if the pricing is positioned similar to Canada in the USA.

At this point I can only comment as to what it appears to be.
 
And what it appears to be is a blatant disregard for an embargo.
 
Pretty slimy.

Mazda Canada is a separate entity with their own rules for Canada. The article doesn't have any track numbers, maybe the ban is just on actual performance data. Why do uninformed reporters keep saying the CX-7 is built on the same platform as the Edge? The CX-7 platform is designed by Mazda EXCLUSIVELY for the CX-7 and is NOT shared by any other vehicles. The upcoming CX-9 will be based off a similar platform as the Ford Edge.

Uh-huh. And the new ES350 has a "uniquely tuned" platform that makes it "different" from the Camry. And the Ridgeline has nothing in common with the Pilot. And of course the A3 is not related to the Golf platform in any way, shape or form.
 
Different suspension pieces, different steering components, and even a change in wheelbase and/or track, do not a different platform make. Of course it's in every manufacturer's interest to say each and every model they offer is totally unique from anything else on the planet, but that doesn't make it so.
 
It always cracks me up because having shared platform technology between two models is not big deal in and of itself. But when the OEMs make a HUGE deal out of claiming the "uniqueness" of each model, well, that makes me want to sift through the spin and ask the hard questions like, "Okay, so how many parts would bolt between these two cars?" or "If I stripped off all the bodywork and interior and started taking measurements and photos, would I find a lot of similarities?"
 
Who knows, maybe the answers to those questions, when asked about the CX-7 and Edge, would be "none" and "no." But I doubt it...

Sorry, but in this case you are incorrect. The edge is based on the Mazda 6 platform. The CX-7 is largely based on the smaller Mazda3/5 platform with some stuff from the 6 and RX-8. The V6 won't even fit in the engine bay. This information is available if you dig in the right places. I realize there is nothing wrong with platform sharing, as I said the CX-9 will share the Edge platform. The CX-7 however is very unique. The Murano is an SUV with sportiness, the CX-7 is a sports car with SUV type versatility.

Does this mean the CX-7 is appreciably smaller than the CX-9/Edge? Your description (V6 won't fit, based off 3/5) suggests the car is considerably smaller than the Edge will be, yet they looked about the same size (and shape) at the auto shows.

Here is a quote from an article by Jim Kenzie that was in the Toronto Star March 18th.
 
"Mechanically, the CX-7 borrows bits from all across the Mazda product spectrum. Contrary to some reports, it is not based on the same platform as the soon to be Oakville built Ford Edge and Lincoln MK X, which are more closely related to Mazda's new Japan only MPV minivan.
 
"Those three are more like siblings to each other, but cousins to the CX-7," said Kawasaki.
 
The front MacPherson strut suspension is similar, though while the rear is closer to that of the Mazda 3 and Mazda 5, although the lower mounting point for the rear dampers has been moved from the bottom of the upright to the top, to allow clearance for the rear drive shafts in the optional four-wheel drive system."

I would expect it to be slightly smaller, but I don't have the specs for the Edge in front of me.

Karl and Members,
  Would you recommend the CX-7 for someone who has a baby on the way? and if not which sporty SUV would you recommend ? maybe the new Acura RDX ????

The CX-7 is NOT based on the SUV version Mazda6 platform (ie Ford Edge). It is based on the Mazda3/Mazda5 platform. The CX-9 is based on the modified Mazda6 platform along with the Edge and Lincoln MKX. A V-6 will NOT fit in the Mazda3/CX-7 engine bay unless it undergoes major surgery. Mr. Karl, please do more research before you guys post things on your site as factual information. I've noticed more and more errors of late and I've emailed your staff accordingly.
  
I went to the NY autoshow and was not impressed with the CX-7. The interior seems very cheap and since I own an '05 Mazda3, I noticed some similar parts. Some of these parts do not belong in an "upscale" SUV that costs up to $31k. After reading Edmunds review of the CX-7 it's clear that automotive publications are as biased as ever. I didn't read a single comment about the cheap expanses of black plastic all over the vehicle. I didn't read about the flimsy doors that feel too light for a $30k vehicle. The heated seats only have one setting with is either ON or OFF. No standard autodimming mirror, single zone climate control, no telescoping steering wheel, etc. Heck there isn't much on this car that can't be had on an '06 Mazda3 grand touring and for '07 the gap will get even closer since the 3 will offer stability/traction control and MP3 player input. If the Saturn Outlook looks or feels this cheap on the inside Edmunds would rip GM's effort apart. I don't care how it drives, it felt too cheap inside for the price.

Cheap compared to what?
Even a Mazda 3 has a nicer interior than anything made by Honda or Toyota at twice the price.
You of course would know that the autoshow version of a vehicle isn't the finished product and is just a prototype that is "slapped" together? They generally are falling apart by the end of the autoshow circut?
I find the interior in the 3, 5, 6, RX-8, MX-5....etc to be MUCH more upscale than there similarily priced competition. So I guess opinions vary.

Let's look at the specs. The CX-7's overall length is 184.1 and the wheel base is 108.3. The Mazda3's overall length is 178.7 and the wheel base is 103.9. The Mazda5's overall length is 181.5 and the wheelbase is also 108.3. The Mazda6's overall length is 186.8 and the wheel base is 105.3. I fully acknowledge that overall length is largely a function of exterior design and bodywork, but wheel base? The CX-7's wheel base is three inches longer than the Mazda6 and 4.5 inches longer than the Mazda3 (but it is the same as the Mazda5). Bottom line, it's a relatively large vehicle. And when looking at the above specs and trying to convey a sense of how it "drives" it can certainly be compared to the Mazda 6 (slightly longer wheel base and slightly shorter overall length). If Mazda is smart they are doing what most automakers are doing today -- using the same platform for as many cars as possible and just cutting the length as needed. If that's the case, then all of this arguing over exactly. precisely, difinitively which other Mazda vehicle the CX-7 is related to is a waste of time (and blog posts). Now that the embargo is gone I can tell you this much -- the CX-7 drives like a tall Mazda6. Fin

Are these posts pointless because you were wrong? Plain and simple, CX-7 shares platform with Mazda C1 (3 and 5). CX-9 shares with Mazda6 platform. It's a fact and ask Mazda engineers if you don't want to take my word for it. The issue I had with the vehicle have to do with it appearing cheap. From the pics on the test, it appears you had a two-tone color scheme (as opposed to all-black) which makes plastics look better. The example I saw was all black and the ambiance and feel was that of the car I drive everyday, only this model was some $11k more expensive than the loaded 3 I own. In fact it felt even worse. Once again, double standard. If American cars drive good and have cheap interiors, you guys devote an entire paragraph to such things (think C5 Corvette, CTS, etc). Not justifying overly cheap interiors on Americans, but they do (especially GM) give you the most features for your money, like trip computers, oil life monitors, traction control, etc. None of these items are discussed in the reviews. It's all about driving fast down curvy roads. Cars that best emulate BMW driving dynamics get a free pass
  
Flyers, I will check out a PRODUCTION version when I go for my next oil change. I'm not complaining about my car's appearance, it okay for $21k price I paid. Better than Honda/Toyota? now that's a stretch. I've had the 3 for 15 months and I can tell the interior is NOT as great as the press has made it to be. I've had squeeks and rattles that the dealer still has not been able find. The all black panels scratch easily, etc. The structure jiggles and shimmies over bumps while "Zoom-Zooming" as if a bushing or other rear suspension component is loose. Again, dealer cannot verify and "they all do that. Its a hatchback and isn't as rigid as the sedan,:" so I am told. Reading a review with all the hype and hoop-la is one thing, living with it is another.

Trip computers, oil life monitors and traction control come into play occasionally or less (and all BMWs provide those, too). Interior plastics are looked at/interacted with every time you drive the car. If GM can't figure that out (particularly after a couple decades of being hammered on for this issue by every professional evaluation) then they deserve to lose market share and billions of dollars every quarter. I've been told it would take about $150 per Corvette to make the interior as good as an Audi TTs. Talk about penny-wise and billion-pound foolish...

I own a CX-7 and couldn't be happier. And I really don't care if it shares a platform with a 3, 5, 6 or whatever. A house builder can build a thousand different floor plans on the same foundation. It's no different with cars. You take a look at the vehicle for what it is and if it suits your needs and tastes.
 
The CX-7 and CX-9/Edge, however, are totally different vehicles. I don't know how anyone can get these two mixed up. They're not even built in the same country. The CX-7 is unique to Mazda.

that's wonderful...ever since these cars are quite been very popular..in terms of their productivity, it's rising and no one can take it on its limits...i love mazda cars, bmw and even lincoln...but mazda for me was a perfect fit for my family..we even had mazda protege radiator installation..everyone of us loves it.